Cell to cabinet connector

ABSTRACT

A cell-to-cabinet connector comprising a vertical riser and an outwardly extending foot section which enhances cable pulling capabilities together with removable access plates, one for installation and the other for cable connection.

United States Patent 1 1' Casio [541 CELL TO CABINET CONNECTOR [75] Inventor: John P. Casto, Vienna,'W. Va.- [73] Assigneez- Textron Inc., Providence, R1. [22] Filed: March 16, 1972 211 Appl. No.: 255,265

521 05.0. ..'.114/4s,174/101,52/221 51 m. c1. .1'102 3/04 [58] Field of Search...,....l74/48, 49, 101, 95, 96, 97,

[56] 4 References Cited I UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,986,122 I 1/1935 Sargent ..52/221 11 3,715,455 1 51 Feb. 6, 1973 2,680,775 6/1954 Wiesmann ..l74/10l X 2,824,578 2/1958 Blinn et a1. ....$2/221 X 3,351,699 11/1967 Merckle ..174/l0l X 3,530,627 9/1970 Carter et al. ..52/221 Primary Examiner-Bernard A. Gilheany Assistant Examiner-D. A. Tone Attorney-Frederick J. Olsson [57] ABSTRACT A cell-to-cabinet connector comprising a vertical riser and an outwardly extending foot section which enhances cable pulling capabilities together with removable access plates, one for installation and the other for cable connection.

3 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures sum 10F s PATENIEI] FEB 8 8975 CELL To CABINET CONNECTOR This invention relates to electrical underfloor distribution systems and in particular relates to a connector for making a duct run for electrical cable between an electrified concrete floor and an electrical service cabinet mounted above the floor. The invention is especially useful in connection with cellular floors comprising cellular decking and an overpour of concrete wherein certain of the cells are employed as underfloor duct. While the invention will be described with relation to such decking it will be understood that useis contemplated with other types of underfloor duct in concrete floors..

One object of the invention is to provide cell-tocabinet connector which isself contained for quick installation on-the-job and to beingespecially configured to facilitate and speed up cable pulling.

Another object of the invention is to provide a cell- -to-cabinct connector which can be welded in place without any on-the-job fabrication.

Another object of the invention is to provide a selfcontained'cell to-cabinet connector whose structure is arranged so that duringthe pour concrete is prevented from enteringthe connector or the cell in which it is mounted. I v

A'nother object of the invention is to provide a cellto-cabinet connector which can be welded to the top of V a cell simply by removing an access plate which, after welding, is replaced for the pour and which is dimensioned to beused with concrete floor of any of the conventional thicknesses.

base and cell, grommeting the access holes and then replacing the access plate to ready the connector for the concrete-pour."

The invention will be described below in connection with -the following drawings wherein: FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a connectorfor making a connection between cellular decking and a power service cabinet;

.FIG. 2 is a sectional elevational view ofthe connectorof FIG. 1 as installed;- a

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a connector for making a connection between cellular decking and a telephone service cabinet or panel; and

FlG.-4 is a planview of a piece of sheet metal from which substantially all' of the connector of FIG. 1 will beformed.

ln FlG. 1 a single section of cellular deck is indicated M1, the section comprising a pair of cells 2 and 3. in

conventional decking, the number of cells in a section may vary as between two; three or four and the slope I and shape of the sides 4and 5: of a cell may-vary from that shown. All conventionalcells however, have tops whichfare'snbstantially flat and such is shown at 6 and The riser 10 has a front 11, a back 12 and a pair of sides 13 and 14 which are formed to make the riser rectangular in shape. The cross sectional area of the riser corresponds approximately to the combined cross sectional areas of the cells 2 and 3.

The sides 13 and 14- have outwardly extending flanges 15 and 16 to which the front 11 is welded. It will be observed that the front 11 does not extend all the way down the riser thereby providing an access opening 20 in which the top access plate 21 is adapted to be bolted on the flanges l5 and 16 as by bolts 22. When the plate 21 is removed, access is provided to the interior of the riser particulary for the purposes of making electrical connections and pulling wires after the pour.

The top of the riser is open at 23 and a bushing 24 is adapted to fit in the opening. The bushing 24 has a skirt in 25 which slides within the top.

The riser has a flat base 26 which is connected to the back 12 and to the sides 13 and 14. The base being flat is adapted to rest on the flat tops 6 and 7 of the cells.

A foot section 30 is formed on the bottom of the riser. The foot section comprises a base 31 and triangular shaped sides 32 and 33. The base 31 is flat and coplanar with the base 26 and abuts the tops of the cells. The triangular shaped sides 32 and 33 are connected to the base 26' and to the sides 13 and 14 of the riser. The sides 32 and 33 of the foot section have outwardly extending flanges 34 and 35. The sides 32 and 33 form an access opening 36 which is an extension of the access opening 20. i

A bottom-access plate 37 has upper section 40 and lower section 41 which are angularly oriented with respect to one another. The orientation is the same as the angular orientation of the vertical flanges 15 and 16 on the riser and the flanges 34 and on the foot sec-. tion. The upper section is adapted to be connected to the flanges 15 and 16 on the riser as by the bolts 42 while the lower section 41 is adapted to be connected to the flanges 34 and 35 on the foot section as by the bolts 43. a

As the connector is shipped from the factory the bushing 24 is disposed on the top of the riser and held in place as by the bolts 44. The access plates 21 and 37 are secured in place, Also the bases 26 and 31 are solid and do not have access holes 45 and 46 as shown in FIG. 1. The top of the bushing 24 may be taped so as to keep out debris. As will be explained later the riser l0 and the foot section 30 are bent up from a single sheet and the lines 50 and 51 on the bottom of the riser indicate where two edges of the bent up sheet abut one another. Preferably the lines are covered with tape (not shown) as a precaution against the entry of concrete during a pour.

The typical installation prodedure is explained in the following: I

First the connector is set up on the cells with the bases 26 and 31 engaging the tops 6 and 7 of the cells. The riser is positioned so as to be in proper alignment with the wall cabinet if already installed orso that the cabinet can be aligned with the riser later on when the cabinet is installed.

The access covers 37 and 21 are removed and this opens access spaces 36 and 20 to provide room for the base 31 to be welded to the tops of the cells. The welds are indicated at 52, and 53. Next the access holes 45 and 46 are either burned or sawed in both of the bases 26 and 31 and in the tops 6 and 7 of the cells. If the accessholes are to be made after the pour, only the cover 37 need be removed for welding. Each access hole extends transversely over substantially the full width of its cell. As indicated the holes are elongated in a transverse direction. The holes are then-provided with the grommets such as the grommet 54. The covers 21 and 37 are then replaced and a connector is ready for the pour.

The general condition of the connectors after the pour in indicated in FIG. 2 wherein it will be seen that the foot section 30 and the bottom part of the riser are imbedded in concrete 55. The height of the top section 40 of the plate 37 is designed so as to accomodate any of the conventional floor thicknesses, that is to say, the top section 40 will always protrude above the top surface of the concrete.

Also in FIG. 2 I have shown bushing 24 extending out of cabinet 56 into the top of the riser. For installing the bushing, a hole is cut in the bottom 60 of the cabinet and the bushing inserted with the flanges 61 of the bushing resting on the bottom. Screws 62 ground the bushing to the cabinet and the bolts 44 ground the bushing to the riser.

When cables are to be run from the cells up thru the connector to the service cabinet the plate 21 is removed to provide access to the interior.

The above described structure is highly advantageous in pulling cables as will be commented on following.

With reference to FIG. 2 it will be observed that the access opening 46 extends across both the base 26 for the riser and base 31 for the foot section and that the joint or bend63 in the access plate 37 is disposed approximately in the center of the access hole. The foot section 30 extends outwardly from the riser in a direction from whence the cables will be pulled into the riser and up to the cabinet. The foot section provides additional space for the pulling operation and the bend 63 serves as a smooth pulling surface.

In FIG. 3 I have shown a connector of the invention especially adapted for use with a telephone service cabinet or panel. 7

The connector as shown in FIG. 3 has a riser 64 which has the same construction as the riser 10 except for length. The foot section 65 is the same as the foot section 30. The access plate 66 is constructed in the same manner as the plate 37 and is secured in place by the bolts 67.

The riser 64 is foreshortened in height inasmuch as I telephone service cabinets or boards are mounted relatively close to the floor (and may not be provided with covering as is a power cabinet).

For installing the connector of FIG. 3 on a cell, the plate 66 is removed and the base 68 welded to the cells. The access holes are then formed and grommeted in the manner previously described.

It is pointed out that the width of aconnector of FIG. '1 or FIG. 3 may vary depending upon the cable capacity desired. Thus, the connector may be of a width to cover only a single cell in a deck section or to cover all ofthe cells as shown.

I With respect to the access holes 45 and 46, where three or four cells are used in a deck section each hole may be formed with its elongated axis running parallel the cell axis. This is to insure adequate pulling capacity.

The invention contemplates that the connector he made from a single piece of sheet metal which is first cut into shape and then bent into the form shown. This is highly advantageous from the standpoint of saving in manufacturing costs. A preferred manner of fabrication is explained following.

FIG. 4 illustrates a piece of sheet metal 70 which has been cut and is in ready condition for bending into the connector of FIG. 1.

The section 71 forms the back of the riser and the sections 72 and 73 will form the sides when bent along the lines 74 and 75. The flanges of the riser will be formed by the sections 76 and 77 when bent along lines 81 and 82.

The base for the riser and the foot section will be formed by the section 83 when bent along the line 84. The triangular shaped sides of the foot section will be formed from the forward parts of the sections 85 and 86 bent up along lines 90 and 91. The flanges on the foot section will be formed by the sections 92 and 93 bent along the lines 94 and 95. It will be observed that rear portions of the sections 85 and 86 form the bottommost parts of the sides of the riser.

When the section 83 and the sections 72 and 73 are bent up, the edges and 101 respectively, abut the edges 102 and 103 forming the lines 50 and 51 previously referred to. It will be understood that the orientation of the edges 100 and 102 and 101 and 103 and the absence of material therebetween accomodates the bending operation for forming the sides and back of the riser.

The various apertures 104 formed in the sections 72, 73, 76, 77, 92 and 93 are for accomodating fastening nuts and bolts which were previously mentioned.

The connector of FIG. 3 is made of an appropriately sized piece of sheet metal cut and bent in the same manner as described above.

Iclaim:

1. For use in connection with a poured concrete floor, a connector for making duct run between an underfloor duct and a service cabinet disposed above the concrete floor, the connector comprising:

an elongated, rectangular shaped, vertically extending hollow riser section to extend between the cabinet and the underfloor duct for carrying electrical wires between the same, the riser having a back, a front and a pair of sides and the front having an access opening on the bottom portion thereof;

bushing means on the top of the riser for connecting the riser to the cabinet;

21 base connected to the bottom of the back and to the bottom of the sides of the riser, the base being flat so as to be positionable, prior to the pour, on the top of an underfloor duct to thereby support the riser on the duct;

a top access plate extending across the top portion of the access opening and connected to the sides of the riser so as to be removable therefrom; a foot section extending outwardly from the riser, the foot section having a flat base connected to and coplanar with the riser base so as to be positionable, prior to the pour, on top of an underfloor duct,

and a pair of triangular shaped side sections connected to the base of the foot section and to the respective sides of the riser, the triangular side sections forming an extension of said access opening and the riser and the foot making a duct run for electrical cable;

a bottom access plate to be at least partially covered by the pour, the plate having an upper section and a lower section, the upper and lower sections being angularly oriented with'respect to each other and the upper section abutting the bottom of said top accessplate and extending across the lower part of said access opening and connected to the sides of the riser so as to be removable therefrom and lower section extending across the said extension of the access opening and connected respectively to said triangular shaped sides; and

the upper section of the bottom access plate having a vertical height for accomodating a plurality of concrete floor thicknesses and removal of the bottom access plate prior to the pour permitting space for securing the connector to the duct and also the removal of the top access plate after the pour permitting access to the inside of the riser for making electrical connections.

2. A construction in accordance with claim 1 wherein said back, sides and base of said riser and the triangular sides and base of said foot section are all made from a single unitary piece bent into said shape and on the bottom of each side of the riser there being a slit formed by abutting edges resulting from the bending to form the base and sides of the riser.

3. For use' in connection with a poured concrete I floor, a connector for providing a duct run between an underfloor duct and a' service cabinet disposed above the concrete floor, the connector comprising:

a riser section comprised of a back and a pair of sides extending outwardly of the back and each having a fastening flange, the space between the opposite flanges forming an access opening and the riser being for use in extending between the cabinet and the underfloor duct for carrying electrical wires between the same; I

a base connected to the bottom of the back and to the bottom of the sides of the riser, the base being flat so as to be positionable, prior to the pour, on the top of an underfloor duct to thereby support the riser on the duct;

-a foot section extending outwardly from the riser, the

foot section having a flat base connected and c0- planar with the riser base so as to positionable, prior to the pour, on top of an underfloor duct and a pair of triangular shaped side sections connected to the base of the foot section and respectively to the sides of the riser and each triangular side having a fastening flange and the sides forming an extension of said access opening; an access plate having upper and lower sections angularly oriented with respect to one another and the upper section extending across said access opening and being connected to respective fastening flanges on the riser and the lower section extending across said extension of the access opening and being connected to the fastening flanges on the triangular sha ed sides; and 1 the upper section 0 the access plate having a vertical 

1. For use in connection with a poured concrete floor, a connector for making duct run between an underfloor duct and a service cabinet disposed above the concrete floor, the connector comprising: an elongated, rectangular shaped, vertically extending hollow riser section to extend between the cabinet and the underfloor duct for carrying electrical wires between the same, the riser having a back, a front and a pair of sides and the front having an access opening on the bottom portion thereof; bushing means on the top of the riser for connecting the riser to the cabinet; a base connected to the bottom of the back and to the bottom of the sides of the riser, the base being flat so as to be positionable, prior to the pour, on the top of an underfloor duct to thereby support the riser on the duct; a top access plate extending across the top portion of the access opening and connected to the sides of the riser so as to be removable therefrom; a foot section extending outwardly from the riser, the foot section having a flat base connected to and coplanar with the riser base so as to be positionable, prior to the pour, on top of an underfloor duct, and a pair of triangular shaped side sections connected to the base of the foot section and to the respective sides of the riser, the triangular side sections forming an extension of said access opening and the riser and the foot making a duct run for electrical cable; a bottom access plate to be at least partially covered by the pour, the plate having an upper section and a lower section, the upper and lower sections being angularly oriented with respect to each other and the upper section abutting the bottom of said top access plate and extending across the lower part of said access opening and connected to the sides of the riser so as to be removable therefrom and lower section extending across the said extension of the access opening and connected respectively to said triangular shaped sides; and the upper section of the bottom access plate having a vertical height for accomodating a plurality of concrete floor thicknesses and removal of the bottom access plate prior to the pour permitting space for securing the connector to the duct and also the removal of the top access plate after the pour permitting access to the inside of the riser for making electrical connections.
 1. For use in connection with a poured concrete floor, a connector for making duct run between an underfloor duct and a service cabinet disposed above the concrete floor, the connector comprising: an elongated, rectangular shaped, vertically extending hollow riser section to extend between the cabinet and the underfloor duct for carrying electrical wires between the same, the riser having a back, a front and a pair of sides and the front having an access opening on the bottom portion thereof; bushing means on the top of the riser for connecting the riser to the cabinet; a base connected to the bottom of the back and to the bottom of the sides of the riser, the base being flat so as to be positionable, prior to the pour, on the top of an underfloor duct to thereby support the riser on the duct; a top access plate extending across the top portion of the access opening and connected to the sides of the riser so as to be removable therefrom; a foot section extending outwardly from the riser, the foot section having a flat base connected to and coplanar with the riser base so as to be positionable, prior to the pour, on top of an underfloor duct, and a pair of triangular shaped side sections connected to the base of the foot section and to the respective sides of the riser, the triangular side sections forming an extension of said access opening and the riser and the foot making a duct run for electrical cable; a bottom access plate to be at least partially covered by the pour, the plate having an upper section and a lower section, the upper and lower sections being angularly oriented with respect to each other and the upper section abutting the bottom of said top access plate and extending across the lower part of said access opening and connected to the sides of the riser so as to be removable therefrom and lower section extending across the said extension of the access opening and connected respectively to said triangular shaped sides; and the upper section of the bottom access plate having a vertical height for accomodating a plurality of concrete floor thicknesses and removal of the bottom access plate prior to the pour permitting space for securing the connector to the duct and also the removal of the top access plate after the pour permitting access to the inside of the riser for making electrical connections.
 2. A construction in accordance with claim 1 wherein said back, sides and base of said riser and the triangular sides and base of said foot section are all made from a single unitary piece bent into said shape and on the bottom of each side of the riser there being a slit formed by abutting edges resulting from the bending to form the base and sides of the riser. 